SOUTH JERSEY FOOTBALL
Watch: Haddonfield football books trip to Rowan with win over Cinnaminson | 2:24

Haddonfield's defense held Cinnaminson to just eight points en route to a huge win to put the Haddons in the NJSIAA South Jersey Group 2 championship at Rowan University.
Video produced by Justin Odendhal

SOUTH JERSEY FOOTBALL
Watch: Lenape advances to title with win over Howell | 1:44

The Lenape dominated all phases of the game to take down Howell 63-28 on home turf to move on to the South Jersey Group V final against Rancocas Valley at Rowan College on December 2nd.
Video produced by Justin Odendhal

SOUTH JERSEY FOOTBALL
WATCH: No. 13 West Deptford kicks its way past No. 11 Haddonfield in OT | 2:18

Mike Bilodeau’s boot from 35 yards out on the Eagles’ fourth snap of the extra frame put the green in ecstasy. The senior felt a mob of teammates, then took the celebration over to the packed home bleachers.
Chris LaChall/Staff Photographer

The Dallas Cowboys’ Hall of Fame tackle – all 6-foot-4, 257 pounds of him – might swallow Cardinali’s 5-10, 195-pound frame whole, but their playing styles are awfully similar.

“There’s no size comparison, but as far as the quickness and the one swim move he has, I thought he reminded me so much of Randy White,” Mehigan said.

White registered 110 sacks during his Cowboys’ career, and Cardinali, though not at those numbers, has made a habit of setting up camp in opposing backfields as well.

Cardinali, a three-year starter who’d never played football until his freshman season, produced seven sacks as a sophomore and is currently fourth all-time in school history with 13.5.

“Not at all,” responded Cardinali when asked if he expected these kinds of stats when he first signed up. “I came out here freshman year because all my friends are doing it, let’s do it, and it kind of came naturally.”

While Cardinali wasn’t accustomed to the gridiron, he was used to physical sports. He’s been playing ice hockey since fourth grade.

Those years helped him strengthen his lower body, which he uses to explode through offensive lines.

“His job is to define running lanes, and he does it so quickly often times he gets into a gap before the opposing lineman,” Mehigan said.

Cardinali is a member of Cherokee’s 1,000-pound weight-lifting club, but it’s not just his speed and strength that sets him apart.

During defensive line drills on Tuesday, Cardinali stepped away from his teammates and began imitating coach Ryan Walsh’s technique. Watching wasn’t good enough. He wanted to immerse himself in the lesson.

That’s why he occasionally jumped the line to get in extra reps.

“I want to be the best football player I can be,” he said.

Cardinali’s extra effort during defensive drills hasn’t hindered him at left guard. He’s one of just a few Chiefs that start on both sides of the ball.

“We’ll rest him if we need it, but often times the play we pull him out he’s ready, I’ll go back in (he says),” according to Mehigan. “We’ll rest him because we want to, not because he wants to. … He just doesn’t tire.”

“I get a break during special teams,” Cardinali retorted.

It’s that type of response that led Mehigan to call Cardinali the definition of Cherokee football.